Lately, when confronted with the opinions of my fellow Christians, I ask myself, "What were they thinking?" Truth is, I wonder if they've really thought through the opinions they put forth. In this blog I will attempt to provoke thought on some current issues. My thoughts might not mirror the popular view, but I hope they will help others consider the question, "What would Jesus think?"

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Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Pat Robertson: What was he thinking?

What was Pat Robertson thinking when he suggested that the US should "go ahead" and assassinate Venezuelan president, Hugo Cheves, to save us "from another $200 billion war" because Cheves is a "terrific danger?" Robertson says, "this is in our sphere of influence. We can't let this (all the dangerous stuff) happen."

To keep it simple, I won't delve into the fact that if this outrageous comment had been made by an Islamic cleric against the president of the US, it would have been decried as a terrorist threat. I won't even call into question the sanity of the aging Robertson, even though "Is he crazy?" would be a fair question. I would merely like to ponder what Jesus would think.

What would Jesus think about one of the ministers of the gospel--a man with access to millions of people--using his enormous influence, power and platform, not to present the good news of the gospel, but to call for the murder of a duly elected president of a foreign country? I believe Jesus spoke to this issue when he said, "Do not murder." (Matthew 19:18) Jesus also said, "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." (Matthew 12:36)

I suggest that, while we reserve judgment day for the Lord, Christians should make Pat Robertson accountable now for this careless and sinful word. We should soundly renounce him and cease all support of his ministry. He has clearly strayed far from his purpose as a minister of the gospel. It behooves Christians every where to speak out against a man who has made a mockery out of his ministry, and fools of our countrymen and his fellow Christians.

I urge Christians to resist the desire to defend him because he is a brother in the Lord or because you agree with his politics. When a brother sins, we must not be seen to agree. We must rebuke him. Calling for murder is sin. Using your ministry to spread hatred and dissension is sin. Jesus has spoken on this issue. It is time we stand with Him and proclaim that we will not accept the unacceptable.

While it is fair game to illuminate Roberston for the quack he surely is, I still must ask what the ministry of Jesus has to do with "duly elected presidents" or the reputations of our nation and our countrymen. I struggle to think of even one relevant link. As for Pat Robertson, he spoke for himself, and is therefore an ass all by himself. If it is true that every individual must give a separate account of himself at the throne of judgement, then perhaps we should not insinuate ourselves into any responsibility for Robertson's alleged trangressions by making such a big deal of his dementia. The biased resentments of your political partisanship are showing, Madam. Would Jesus have been a partisan, too?